Burglar alarm system



Aug. ll, 1931. H. v. RoaalNs 1:1' AL I BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM Filed Nov. 2. 192s 4 Sheet-s-Shevet l Aug. ll, 1931. u H.lv. RoaBlNs ETAL 1 y 1,818,162

BURGLAB ALARM s'YsTma y Filed Nov. 2, 1928 4ySheets-Sheet 2 s farol Egger anda amer and( #16 PI ATTORN Y Aug. 11, 1931. H. v. RoBBlNs ETAL BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM Filed Nov. 2 192s sheets-sheet 4 hun Y N m0,@ w m50/ n 1Km. M dem dJY H da Patented Aug. 11, 1931l UNITED STATES Parana oEFicE HAROLD v. ROBBINS AND JAHES OCONNELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BURGLAB ALARM SYSTEM Application iled November 8, 1928. Serial No. 816,654.

Our invention relates to improvementsin burgllar alarm systems; especially apparatus of t the place and al1 persons present w ere a 3 theft or robbery is committed, and at the instant of perpetration.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved support for the essential parts of the system, and of such construction 1 that everything can be securely enclosed and the support mounted, with the various members always in readiness to function whenever the need arises.

Another object of the invention is to prol vide a burglar alarm system equi ped with suitable light-sensitive devices, e ectrically connected so that any one obstructingralysf t e of light falling upon selected parts o system, will involuntarily cause the system 9 to operate. Hence the system can be arranged so that the mere presence of an unauthorized person .is all that is required to cause an alarm to be given.

This application vsets forth certain improvements upon the devices which we describe and claim in our previous a plications Serial No. 187,141, entitled amera shutter and flash light s nchronizer. filed April 28, 1927 -;and Seria No. 265,698, en-

y titled Alarm systems, filed March 29, 1928.

The nature and advantages of the invent'ion are fully set forth in the following description, taken with the drawings, which show one or more embodiments of the in- .vention. However, we do not wish to be confined to the exact details herein illustrated, but reserve the right to make changes in the shape, size and arrangement of the o various parts without going beyond the principle of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

On the drawings, I y

Figure 1 shows in section a novely form of 46; support or casingto receive within it some is character for taking photogra hs ofA of the important parts of our alarm system; the section being taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 3, looking downward;

igure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

, Figure 3 is a section taken at right angles to that of Figure 2 on the line 3-3 of Fi re 1;

igure 4 is a sectional view of a detail; Figure 5 is a plan of the electrical wiring for our alarm system; f

Figure 6 presents a modification of the wiring; Figure 7 is a front view of another form of support for the main parts of the alarm system; Figure 8 is a side view thereof; and Figure 9 shows a section thereof, on line 9 9 of Figure 8.

On the rawings the same numerals identif'yhthe same parts throughout.

e casing is shown at 1 and it carries therein a'camera or kodak 2, held in fixed position in the casing. At 3 is a fiash panA on the interior of the casing but rojectin to a slight extent to the outsi e thereo through an opening 4. The casing has an aperture 5 in line with the camera 2, and at 6 (Fi ure 5) is an audible alarm device connecte to the electrical operatin circuit so that the alarm can be sounde at the moment the camera 2 takes the picture. The pan 3 receives a suitable charge of explosive illuminating powder and when this powder is ignited the whole scene'within ran e of the camera 2 is strongly lighted to ena le a picture of the place including the criminals committing the theft or robbery to be taken; and at the same time the alarm 6 is actuated to summon assistance.

The flash pan 3, which is4V mostly within the casing 2, has a stem or journal 7 projecting from its lower end, the s indle being movably supported in a stan ard 8 secured to the bottom of the casing 1. This spindle 7 is mounted to slide up and down. in a vertical bearing 9a at the upper end of the standard 8; and below this bearing the standard has another bearing 9b to re ceive the hollow end 10 of a flexible tubular covering or sleeve 11 leading to the part of the camera which supports the shutter for the lens thereof. Projecting from the covering 11 and through the end 10 in line with the lower end of the member 7, is a stem 12 and this stem is arranged to operate suitable mechanical or pneumatic vconnections in the sleeve 11, so that when the spindle 7 is depressed the stem 12 is forced downward and the shutter of the camera is thrown to open position to make the exposure. The parts which contain the movable lens shutter are indicated at 12a at the front end of the camera 2.

The aperture 5 in front of the camera is normally. closed by a slide 13 having an opening 14, this slide being movable up and down in guides 15 at each side; and the opposite longitudinal edges of the slide have flanges or tongues V16 to enter corresponding grooves arranged longitudinally in the adjacent edges of the guides 15, so that the slide can move downward to make its opening 14 register with the aperture 5 at the insta-nt when the spindle 7 depresses the stem 12 to open the lens shutter of the camera and have a picture made. A spring 17 attached to the slide 13 and the bottom of the casing tends to pull the slide to bring the opening 14 and aperture 5 into line with each other.

Normally the slide 13 is held in elevated position with its opening 14 out of registry with the aperture 5 so that the camera is not exposed. For this purpose the slide 13 carries a stop 18 which is engaged by the corner of the catch 19 which is pivotally mounted upon a short shaft 20 rotatably held in a beari 21 adjacent the upper end of one of the guides 15. The shaft 20 projects through this bearing and on the projecting end is fixed an arm 22 with its opposite extremity .notched or recessed for the pin 23, affixed to the spindle 7 and movable up and down in a vertical slot 24 in the side of the bearing 9a. Hence when the charge of flash powder ignites and the pan 3 and spindle 7 are forced downward, the lever 22 turns the shaft 20 so as to disengage the catch 19 from the stop 18 and release the slide 13. As soon as this release is effected, the spring 17 pulls the slide downward, carrying the opening 14 into registry with the opening 5; and at the same instant the lower end of the spindle 7 strikes the end of the stem 12 and through the connections above-mentioned, causes the lens shutters of the camera to open. These operations take place simultaneously while the entire scene and all the persons present are clearly illuminated and thus a complete picture can be taken.

The camera is shown as mounted upon a suitable su port 25 made fast within the casing; and t e flash pan may have a hinged cover 26 which is normally closed over the open top of the flash pan but can be thrown freely upward when the explosion of the illuminating pow'der takes place, so that nothing obstructs the illumination at the instant when the powder is ignited.

To burn the powder in the flash pan we use an igniter 27 disposed in the pan 3 and secured at each end to a binding post 28. These binding posts are affixed to the bottom of the pan 3, which may be of metal, and project through the bottom but are insulated therefrom. The igniter 27, which may be of any suitable composition is adapted to be heated quickly when an electric circuit is closed through it. The spindle 7 is afiixed to the bottom of the pan between the two binding posts 28. Connected to the outer end of each binding post 28 is an electrical conductor 29 leading to binding posts on a piece of insulation 3() secured to the bottom of the casing 1. This piece of insulation is preferably supported above the bottom of the casing 1; and to the same binding posts as the conductors 29, are attached* conductors 3l leading to an electric circuit 32 to supply electrical current; the wiring diagram being shown in full on Figure 5. In the line of the conductors 31 running to the leads 32 is a suitable switch 33 and a pair of fuses 34. The circuit through one of the conductors 31 is adapted to be controlled by a rela switch 35 normally held in open position by a suitable spring 36. At 37 is a housing of any suitable construction for the switch arm 35 and spring 36 as well as battery 38. In this housing are further a magnet coil 39 for attracting the switch arm 35 as an armature, and an insulating block 40 carrying the fuses 34. The housing 37 is of course separate from the casing 1; and the battery, magnet coil, switch 35, the fuses 34 and block 40, may be mounted in this housing in any suitable manner. The supplemental housing 37 has suitable openings/for the wires 31 to ass into this casing and out of it to the switch One pole of the battery 38 is joined by a wire 41 to one terminal of the magnet coil 39; and the remaining pole of the battery and terminal of the coil 39 are united by similar wires 41 to a control lreceptacle 42 wherein cash money is kept, usually in the form of bills made of paper or of other non-conductingmaterial. Within the receptacle is a strip of insulation 43 carr ing binding posts 44 to which the wires rom the battery and the magnet are attached. A leaf-spring 45 tends to bridge the bindt e contacts 44 and close the circuit through the battery and coil 39 to attract the switch ing posts 44, the leaf-s ring carrying a knob v and complete the circuit from the supply leads 32 through the wires 31 tothe igniter 27 The presence of paper money indicated at 47 in the receptacle 42 however will prevent the actuation of the switch 35 because this paper money will be put between the end of the switch and the adjacent contact 44, the switch 45 being lifted for this purpose. Thus the circuit of the battery 38 and coil 39 is interrupted; but if the paper money in the receptacle or till 42 is extracted, the switch 45 can then make contact at its free end with the adjacent binding ost 44. Then the switch 35 will be close and, with the switch 33 already closed, current can then flow from the leads 32 along the wires 31 into the casing 1 to the igniter 27. Combustion of the flash powder in the an then occurs and the pan is then immediately depressed, the pin 23 ushing downward on-the lever 22 to reease the stop 18 and at the'same time the spindle 7 presses upon the stem 12 to cause the lens shutter to open. The opening of the lens shutter occurs at the same instant as the spring 17 draws the slide 13 downward and makes the opening 14 register with the aperture 5; so that the camera can then take a picture through'this aperture as required.

The audible alarm device 6 is in parallel with the igniter 27 being connected by a wire 48 with one of the wires 31, at a. point between the-switch 35 and fuses 34. A similar wire 49 connects the other pole of the device 6 to a binding post on the insulating bar 30. The binding posts on the insulation 30 are shownfat 50, the wires 29 being at'- tached to two of these posts and the wires y31 to the same pair of posts; while .the third post has secured to it the end of the wire 49. This third post also has attached a wire 51 which lisia continuation of the wire 49 and leads to one of a pair -offleaf-springs 52 in the casing' l. The other leaf-spring l52 is connected by a wire 53 to the proper binding ost so that the alarm device 6 is in effect ridged across the conductor-S31 and will o erate whenever the switch 33 is closed and t e leaf-spring contacts 52 are bridged. These leaf-spring contacts are mounted upon a piece of insulation 54 affixed to the bot-tom of the case 1, and to connect the contacts 52 we attach to the slide 13 a piece of insulation 55 bearing a bar 56 to which is secured an angle-plate 57 by fastening devices 58. This plate 57 is of metal and the bar 56 is secured to the slide 13 in such osition, with the plate 57 at its end just above the contacts 52, that when the slide is released by the catch 19 being withdrawn from the stop 18, the projecting edge of the plate 57 will on the downward movement ofi-the slide close the space between the spring contacts 52. Thus whenever the till 42 is emptied by an unauthorized person, or if the circuit between the battery 38 and coil 39 is closed in some other manner, so that the magnet 39 attracts the switch 35, with the switch 33 already in closed p0s'ition, the illuminating or flash powder ignites in pany 3; giving the necessary quantity of light to take a picture of the scene; and at the Sametime the pan is driven downward sov that vthe spindle 7 acting through the lever 22 and stem 12 causes the lens shutters of the camera to be opened and the opening 14 and aperture 5 to be brought into alignment. The camera can then take the picture and through the downward movement of the slide 13, further, the contacts 52 are bridged land the alarm 6 is caused to sound va loud warning and thus summon help.

The piece of insulation 54 carrying contacts 52 is held fast by an angle mem )er 59 attached to this insulation and the lottom of the casing by screws. This insulation carries contact plate 60, against which the spring contacts 52 are placed, and afii ved to the insulation near the top are pins 61 which pass through openings in theplates J0 and springs 52. A similar pin 62 is passed through openings in the lower part of ea ch spring 52 and plate 60and engaged 4'ast with the insulation 54. The outer ends of the pins 62vhave nuts thereon and between the nuts and the spring contacts 52 are c'oiled springs 63 having their ends attached to the pins 61; and wires 51 and-53 are made fast to the plates 6() by screws and are thus in circuit with the contacts 52 but the contacts are thus yieldably mounted and can be pushed out along the pins 61 and 62 against the springs 63 by the metal late 57.

The bottom of the casing may ave external perforated projections 64 to enable it to be'secured in place; and the'conductors 31 and 49 may be led from the binding posts 50 and can be united in the form of a single cable 65 and led out through a hole 66 in the bottom ofcasing 1.

As shown clearly in Figure 5,` theV insulation 30 may be spaced from the bottom of,y the casing by parts 67 and the insulation held by screws 68. The casing 1 is generally made of metal and the binding posts 50 must therefore be out of contact with the lcasing'at all points.

Besides the switch 45 to close the circuit between the battery 38 and magnet 39, we may connect' across the wire 31 a pair of wires 69, portions of which are incorporated to form a cable or the like within an outer cover 70. The cover 70 may be ofconsiderable length and the portions of the wires 69 therein may be close together but out of contact, so that if the cover 7 0 is compressed at any point, as by the foot of aperson wishing to give the alarm, the wires 69 are caused 'f ;"to come into contact with each other at said point and close the circuit through the battery and magnetso as to attract the switch 35. The way in which the wires 69 are arranged in the cover 70 is fully set forth in 10 our application Serial No. 265,698, above,

mentioned.

The body of the casing 1 may be hoodshaped and the bottom indicated at 7l may have a rest 72 in front of a peripheral shoulder 73 so that the hood and the bottom can be fitted together and secured by screws or in any other convenient manner and easily taken apart. The standard 8 and the supports 25 for the camera 2 are attached to l the bottom 71. The hood and bottom ofthe casing constitute an efficient support which mounts and encloses all the'important parts. Both the hood and the bottom may be made of metal.

In the' form in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the

bottom 71 is made in the form of a casing with a hollow projection 74 for the camera, which is secured to the top of this projection. Instead of havingV the cable 11, the

lens casing 12a contains a shutter arrangement which can be operated by a trip-arm 75, which is actuated as soon as the stem 7 is forced downward by the explosion of the powder in the pan 3. The standard 8 has a vertical bearing 9a, as before; at the top and below this bearing is a laterally-projecting arm 9c, which carries a horizontal bearing receiving a shaft 76 rotatably mounted therein and having fixed to one end a shutter 77 having an opening 14a. Around the .shaft 76 is coiled a spring 78 fixed to the shutter 77 and to the arm 90. On the shaft 76 is a disc 79, the bearing carried by the arm 9c being between this disc and the shutter; and this disc has a notch 80 for a catch lever 81. One end 82 of this lever has a pointed projection to enter the notch 80 and hold the shaft 76 so that it keeps the shutter in position for one end to shield the casing 12a. The stem 7 has an arm 83, the end of which strikes the trip 75 when the stem 7 is lowered and this arm also has a projection 84 to release the catch lever 81 whenever the powder in the pan 3 is ignited.

The explosion drives down the stem causing the part 83 to strike the trip 75 and throw open the lens shutter while substantially at the same instant the projection 84 hits the arm of the catch lever remote from the end 82 to release the shutter. The spring then turns the shaft 76 so that the shutter is moved to carry its opening 14a into line with the casing 12a; and as the opening registers with the end of the casing 12a at the instant when the lens shutter. makes the exposure,

the picture can be taken. The standard also mounts aswitch 85 adjacent the lower end of the stem 7 which takes the place of the bar 56 with the angle-plate 57 on the bottom 7l. On the bottom 71 is mounted, as before, the insulation 30 with three binding posts 50. From two of the binding posts run wires 31 to the igniter in the pan 3, and two wires similar to those shown at 51 and 53 connect the switch 85 to binding posts on the insulation 30 to make a circuit for the siren 6, in the same way as shown in Figure 5. Thus at the moment when the picture is taken the switch 85 is closed and the siren is caused to operate.

The projection 74 has an opening 86 for the conductors similar to the opening 66 above described.

The pan 3 instead of having a. pivoted closure 26 has a closure in the form of a clip 26a which is thrown of by the force of the explosion of the flash powder; and attached to the bottom of the pan 3 is a screen 3awhich shields the opening i to prevent any light rays, upon the explosion ofthe contents of the pan 3, 4from penetrating the interior of the casing l and thus interfering with the hotograph of the objects on the l outside o this casln In some cases it is desirable to connect light-sensitive apparatus to the circuit so that the alarm can be set off without any of the money 47 being extracted or without bridging the circuit 41 by the conductors 69. These light sensitive arrangements are shown in connection with Figure 5 and on Figure 6. At 87 we indicate a source of light which illumines a light-sensitive cell 88 in circuit with a battery or the like 89 and relay 90, which may comprise a coil similar to coil 39 and a switch similar to the switch 35 bridged across the circuit of the conductors 41 by the wires 91. The cell 88 will be of such character that so long as the rays from the lamp 87 play upon it no current can pass through the relay 90 to close the switch for the conductors 91. When, however, anyone not knowing the nature of the premises passes between the source of li ht 87 and the cell 88, as indicated by a bro en line in Figure 5, the resistance of the circuit containing the cell 88 and battery 89 is so affected that the relay 90 can close the circuit through the conductors 91 and thus actuate the magnet 39 the same as if the bills 47 were extracted. This arrangement of light-sensitive apparatus can be used in place of the switch for the paper money 47 or the conductors 69, or in combination therewith. Hence if this alarm system be installed and the light cell is put at one side of the room with an illuminating bulb 87 at the other, an intruder passing the same and knowing nothing of the presence of the system will intercept the rays from the bulb 87 and cause the battery to actuate the relay 90 to close the circuit through the conductors 91 across the conductors 41. We may also. select for the cell 88 a unit which responds to an increase of' light to permit enough electric currentto go through the relay 90 to actuate it. Then if the premises are invaded at night by a thief or robber with a Hash light the alarm will o 0H as Soon as the light `rays strike Athe cel 88. 4

In place of the source of illumination 87 and cell 88 or in combination therewith and the other devices, we may employ a bulb or source of light 92 in combinatlon with alight-sensitive cell 94 connected through a battery 89 with an amplifier vacuum tube 95. From this vacuum tu e conductors 96 may lead to bridge the wires 41. The bulb 92 is normally screenedfrom the cell 94 by a rubber plate 93 which allows only infrared light rays to pass through it, and the cell 94 may be of such a character that it can only be actuated by these infra red rays to energize the tube 95 and close the circuit through ythe conductors 41. Whenever any one not' knowing the nature of the premises passes between the bulb 92 and cell 94, the rays are cut 0H as before; and the alarm system is set into operation. Normally the switch arm 85 has the lower end of the spindle 7 resting thereon and bears the weight of the pan, stem 7, and arm 83. This switch may be of any well-known construction such as a switch for mounting in a wall to turn on the lights, and it may be enclosed in a small box of insulation a on the standard 8.

The pin 23 is used for the device of Figures 7, 8 and 9, to'slide in the slot 24 of the bearing 9m, and preventiturning of the pan 3. This turning is also prevented in the device o Figures 1, 2 and 4.

With the cell 92 and screen 93 close to it, light. rays that are invisible can be utilized so that an intruder has no indication at all that he is within the ran e of system. A

In Figures 7, 8 and 9 te shoulder 73 may have the form of a raised rim surrounding the bottom 71. Inthese views the hood or bod of the casing is omitted. This hood is use as in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and is secured in the same way. f

We claim:

1. In photographic apparatus, a casing having an aperture, a movable Hash an in the casing but projecting outside o it, a camera inthe casing aligned with the aperture, a shutter, a catch therefor to hold the shutter in position to close the aperture, and a lever controlled by the Hash pan to release the catchl upon movement of the Hash pan to enable the shutter to uncover said aperture.

v2. In photographic apparatus, a casing having an aperture, a camera in the casing aligned with the aperture, a shutter for closing the aperture, a Hash pan exposed to the exterior of the casing and having a loose covercn the top thereof and a spindle projecting from the Hash pan into the casing and mounted to control the shutter and the exposure of the aperture.y

3. In photographic apparatus, a casing having an aperture, a movable Hash pan in the casing but projecting outside of it, a camera in the casing aligned with the aperture, a slidable shutter, a catch to hold the shutterlin position to close the aperture,- and a notched lever controlled by the flash pan to release the catch upon movement of the Hash pan to enable the shutter to uncover the aperture. 4. In photographic apparatus, a movable Hash pan, a camera, a movable shutter in front of the lens casing of the camera, a catch to hold the shutter over the aperture, the shutter having an opening to register with said aperture, and a part connectedto the Hash pan to release the catch upon movement of the Hash pan to enable the shutter to bring its opening into line with thelens of said camera.

5. In photographic apparatus, a movable Hash pan, a spindle supporting the Hash pan, a camera having a lens casing, a trip arm projecting from said lens casing to actuate the shutters thereof, a movable shutter outside of said lens casing having an opening, a catch to hold the last-named shutter with its opening out of registry with the lens casing, an arm, and a projection on said spindle to strike the trip arm and catch respectively upon movement of the Hash pan to cause the trip arm to operate the shutters in the lens casing and to liberate the outside. shutter from said catch to enable said outside shutter to move its opening in front of the lens casing. 6. In photographic apparatus, a casing having an operture, a movable Hash an in the casing but projecting outside o it, a camera in the casing aligned with the aperture, a shutter outside of the camera 1n front of the lens thereof, a catch to hold the shutter in position to close the aperture, and a lever controlled by the Hash-pan to release the catch upon movement of the Hash pan to enable the shutter to'uncover said aperture, the casing comprislng a bottom having means for supportlng the camera and the Hash pan, and a hood engaging the bottom and resting thereon.

7. A casing having an aperture, a camera in the casing alined with the aperture, the

.camera havin a trip arm to actuate its lens shutters, a ash pan, a movable member carrying the Hash pan, a closure for the aperture operable upon movement of said member to expose said aperture, and a latch hold said closure in position to cover sald aperture and releasable to permit movement of the closure, the trip being engageable to open the lens shutters,` of the camera when the closure is released.

8. A casing having an aperture, a camera in the casing alined with the aperture, the camera havin a trip arm to actuate its lens shutters, a ash pan, a movable member carrying the ash pan, and a part substantially rigid with said member and operable upon movement of said member to actuate said trip arm.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing as our invention, we have signed our names hereto. u v HAROLD V. ROBBINS.

JAMES OCONNELL. 

